European antibiotic awareness day
18 November 2009
Today (18th November 2009) marks the second annual European Antibiotic Awareness Day, established to highlight the problem of increasing antibiotic resistance and the need for prudent use of antibiotics.
Figures from the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption project, which monitors antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in countries across Europe, suggest that antibiotic use in many countries remains too high. However, prescribing habits across Europe differ from country to country, with the UK among those countries prescribing the lowest number of antibiotics per 1000 inhabitants per day.
A survey on antibiotic resistance across Europe, published in Eurosurveillance to coincide with European Antibiotic Awareness Day, highlights cases of resistance seen among patients who are very susceptible to infection in intensive care units. It is important to remember that these cases, where resistance has been noted, represent a small fraction of cases in intensive care and not among patients in the wider healthcare service.
Some of the infections highlighted in the survey, including Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Stenotrophomonas show differing levels of resistance across Europe. Resistant Pseudomonas infections in intensive care units are mostly seen in Southern Europe and are much rarer in the UK. Acinetobacter does show resistance in the UK but this is mainly limited to affecting those in intensive care units and there is little in the way of associated mortality. With regards to cases of Stenotrophomonas, cases seen in the UK continue to be susceptible to certain types of antibiotics.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has been warning for some time of the risk from infections which are more difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance.
New antibiotics need to be developed to ensure the range of treatment options for some infections does not run out.
Health professionals also have an integral part to play in ensuring the antibiotics we currently have are put to best use. Sensible prescribing is critical in keeping resistance at bay, and this is of particular relevance where a wide range of antibiotics are used in hospitals to protect vulnerable patients against infection.
Patients can also play their part by being aware of the problem of resistance and not expecting antibiotics as treatment for themselves or their relatives if doctors do not recommend them. Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but are sometimes inappropriately used against common colds and flu, which are the result of viral infections and for which they have no effect.
Recent work by HPA and its European partners on raising awareness of the appropriate use of antibiotics has included the launch of the 'e-Bug' scheme, an educational resource which is available to schools to teach children about appropriate antibiotic use and the importance of good hygiene.
e-Bug is made up of educational activities for primary and secondary school-age children, complemented by online games, on microbes, hygiene, antibiotic use and vaccines. The programme features age-appropriate animated characters and cartoon microbes; and lesson plans and materials for teachers. Topics include hygiene measures to stop the spread of swine flu and other respiratory infections.
The programme also educates children - our future generation of antibiotic users - on the importance of the prudent use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are currently the most common medicines given to children.
Notes to editors
European Antibiotic Awareness Day aims to provide an annual opportunity for awareness raising about the threat to public health of antibiotic resistance and how to use antibiotics responsibly.
The European Antibiotic Awareness Day is organised by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and further information can be found on the website: http://antibiotic.ecdc.europa.eu.
Results from the survey analysing cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria around Europe, and performed among European intensive care physicians can be accessed in a paper on the Eurosurveillance website: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/
Further details for schools about the e-bug scheme can be found at: www.e-bug.eu
The Health Protection Agency's web page on antimicrobial resistance can be found at the link below.
http://www.hpa.org.uk/HPA/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/1191942146521/
For further information on this press release please contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on:
Kate Swan 020 8327 7097
David Daley 020 8327 6647
Georgina Fletcher 020 8327 6690
Alexandra Baker 020 8327 7098
Louise Brown 020 8327 7080
Last reviewed: 18 November 2009
